Whether it’s losing a dream we’ve built our life around, longtime suffering that never seems to heal, or an urgent prayer that goes unanswered, we have all asked the question: “Where is God in all of this?”

The absence of an answer is not the absence of God.

God’s presence does not disappear when outcomes disappoint us. If we ask where God is in our suffering…He is right there with us. Jesus knew all about suffering, betrayal, isolation, and grief. We can turn to Him in our trials and defeats because He endured it all at the cross.

If Christ endured all that pain and suffering for us…can’t we endure through our questions about what is at the root of our present suffering?

Sometimes God changes our circumstances. Sometimes He changes us within them. Perhaps He is trying to show us something we haven’t considered. We just want the pain to stop! But God’s way is usually not the shortest or easiest route through pain. It often includes growth, surrender, patience, and dependence on Him.

It also includes the support and concern of those who love us.

They are not perfect…just as WE are not perfect. I do believe, however, that our heavenly Father uses those bonds of love to help guide us toward healing, peace, and spiritual maturity. We cannot do this life alone. At some point, we must be willing to surrender the battle to God and trust Him with the outcome.

We all want immediate answers to our pain and difficulties. Sometimes life simply does not work out that way.

God is NOT a genie who grants every request according to our timeline. He is our heavenly Father, and sometimes He teaches us that the deepest faith is formed in seasons we would have never chosen for ourselves.

Faith that survives disappointment is not faith that always gets the answer it wanted. It is faith that continues to trust God even when the answer is “wait,” “not yet,” or even “no.”

The story of Job reminds us that even the most faithful believers can walk through devastating loss and deep confusion.

In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.

Job lost his health, his possessions, and even his children. His friends tried to explain his suffering, but they could not understand what God was doing.

Yet even in the middle of overwhelming grief, Job still turned toward God.

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.

Job 13:15 (NIV)

Satan challenged God, believing that Job would turn from Him if his ‘perfect life’ was interrupted. God allowed Satan to torment and tempt Job…as long as he did not take his life.

Job never received a full explanation for all of his suffering. Instead, he encountered the presence and majesty of God Himself. Sometimes we spend so much time demanding answers from God that we miss the comfort of simply being held by Him.

The Bible never promises that believers will avoid hardship. In fact, Jesus promised the opposite. But He also promised that we would never face those hardships alone.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul understood disappointment and suffering deeply. Yet even in weakness, he discovered the sustaining grace of God.

But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12.9  (NIV)

So when life’s outcomes disappoint us, take a deep breath and DON’T THROW IN THE TOWEL! How is God using this setback to bring us closer to our desired outcome? Obviously, our way is not working!

Time for some tweaking! What other ways could get us to the goal we’re trying to achieve! Ask the Holy Spirit for some new direction.

Maybe we try and fail again. Don’t give up! We never know when our breakthrough is going to come. It may not come in the way we were imagining.

It we keep surrendering to God’s will and timing…it will come!

Dear Lord,

How long will we be in this place? We keep trying and trying…

Remind us that Your will for us is ALWAYS for our good. Is our current way not what You would have us to do? Please point us in the right direction. Help us to try new paths until we reach the one You have set us on!

Chances are that Your way will come with some new challenges. Thank You for not leaving us in our brokenness!  

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